Burial-casket box



(No Model.)

JQ J.-STBPHBNS. BURIAL GASKET BOX.

No. 554,741. Patented Feb. 18, 189@ AN DREW BLRAHAM. PM00-LrmLLWASNINGTUILDLv NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH J. STEPHENS, OF CLINTON, MISSOURI.

BU RIAL-CASKET BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,741, dated February 18, 1896. Application filed Jalary 28, 1895. Serial No. 536,490. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. STEPHENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clinton, in the county of I-Ienry and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Casket- Box, of which the following is a specification,

My invention relates to a box or vault for perishable caskets or coffins; and has for-its object to provide, in connection with an imperishable water-tight box or vault adapted to exclude moisture when arranged below high-water mark, simple and 'efficient means for Ventilating' and allowing the escape of gases without admitting moisture, the discharged gases being deposited in, for absorption by, the soil.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. l

4In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a casket-box constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same as seen when in the ground.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings.

l designates an imperishable water-tight box or vault, which, in the construction illustrated, comprises an exterior metallic box 2 and an interior lining 8 of cement, the upper edges of the lining being beveled, as shown at 4, to receive the correspondingly-beveled edges of the metallic lid or cover 5, which is also provided with a lining 6 of cement. Transverse metallic braces l2 are arranged upon the exterior surface of the top or cover beneath the lining of cement.

In an opening '7 in the lid orcover of the vault or box, and a communicating opening in the lining, is fitted a Ventilating-tube 8, preferably constructed of pliable metal, such as lead, said tube being bent to form a loop or goose-neck 9, the uppermost point of which should be arranged above high-water mark. The free end of the tube is open and may be provided with a series of perforations 10, and secured to the lid or cover of the box is a cage or reticulated shield 1l in which is inserted the open end of the tube, whereby earth is excluded from the openings and per# forations.

The above-described construction provides for the lescape of gases and the absorption thereof by the earth without admitting water, the vuppermost point of the loop or goose# neck, which may be arranged close to or above the surface of the ground, being imperforate, whereby no escape of gases near the surface is possible. p A

The lining or coating of cement which is su p-' ported by the lid or cover is arranged upon the exterior surface thereof, whereby, when the material of the lid or cover becomes decayed, the tube remains in place, being held by ceni ent.

Various changes lin the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention. l y h l Having described my invention, what I claim is;q i

l. The combination with a water-tight box or vault adapted to exclude moisture when arranged below high-water mark, of a ventilating-tube communicating with the interior of the box or vault, extended upwardly and provided with a goose-neck or loop above highwater mark, and terminating in the soil adjacent to the box or vault, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a casket box or vault adapted to exclude moisture when arranged below high-water mark, of a ventilating-tube communicating at one end with the interior of the box or vault and adapted to be extended above high-water mark and doubled upon itself to form a goose-neck or loop, said tube terminating at its free or open end contiguous to the box or vault, and a cage or reA ticulated shield secured to the box or vault and receiving the free end of the tube,whereby the latter is held in place and earth is excluded, vsubstantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature ip nv the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH J. STEPHENS. IVitnesses:

R. C. MCBETH, W. H. SMITH. 

